The Effect of Bushenzhuangyang Decoction on Climacteric Rats with Insufficiency of Kidney-Yang

Objective To study the therapeutic effect of bushenzhuangyang(BSZY) decoction on the model of female climacteric rats with insufficiency of kidney-yang. Methods 30 female SD rats at their natural climacteric age of 11-15 months were randomly divided into 3 equal groups:1.model(M) group,2. M+BSZY treatment group and 3.Climacterium group.The model of insufficiency of kideney-yang was set up by giving an I.M. injection of 2 mg·(100 mg)~-1 of cortisol to each rat at 8 a.m. q.d. for 14 consecutive days. In addition, 10 female SD rats at the age of 3-5 months served as young controls. Beginning from day 15,that is ,1 day after the model had been successfully set up ,rats of group 2 were given each by gastrogavage 10 mL·kg~-1 of BSZY decoction at 9 a.m.q.d.for 14 consecutive days .Rats of group 1,2 and young controls were given each equivalent amounts of 0.9%sodium chloride solution by the same route for 14 days as well. On day 29, blood samples were collected from rats of all 4 groups for the determination of serum levels of estradiol (E_2) , follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone(LH). Results In comparison with rats of the model group (group 1) , rats of group 2 treated with BSZY had a depilation of milder degree , better appetite,amelioration of polyuria and chilly sensation. as well as a striking increase in body weight(P0.01).The serum level of E_2 in rats treated with BSZY was significantly higher than that of the model group(P0.01),while the levels of serum FSH and LH in rats treated with BSZY were apparently lower than those in rats of the model group (P0.01 or P0.05).The serum level of E_2 in rats of the model group was much lower than that of rats in the climacterium (group 3) (P0.01). Conclusion BSZY was shown to be effective in the treatment of insufficiency of kidney-yang in climacteric rats.